Improvement in traveling-bag clasps



R. w. CHAPMAN.

. Traveling Bag Clasps.

Patented March 26,1872.

A W? M ROBERT CHAPMAN, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

lMPROVEMENT IN TRAVELING-BAG CLASPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 124,934, dated March 26, 1872.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, ROBERT W. CHAPMAN, of Newark, county of Essex, in the State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements'in Devices for Connecting and Securing together theJaws of Traveling-Bags; and I do hereby declare. that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawing furnished, is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

The nature of my invention consists in certain combinations of devices applied to the frame or jaws of a traveling'bag in a manner to serve the double purpose of clasp and as a handle connection.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 represents the frame and handle of a traveling-bag connected together by my improvement. Fig. 2 represents an end view of the bag frame, showing my improved attachment.

Letter A is a handle of leather; B,the frame or jaw; G, the ears forming a part of my improvement; 1), ear to which the link E is securely connected; F, a metallic sleeve surrounding the link E, and clasping the ends of the leather part of the handle, to which it is riveted.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will explain in detail.

The frame B is of the ordinary kind, and made in the usual manner; the handle A, of

leather or similar suitable material, made by' the usual means. F is the usual method of covering the ends of the handle, made generally of sheetbrass. The ears 0 and D, as well as the link E, constituting my invention may be cast or made from sheet metal by dies and press. I prefer, however, to make them of brass and malleable iron, by casting for convenience and economy. 4

I do not confine myself to the'particular I forms, as shown in the drawing, as the link E may be made of wire, bent in the form of a triangle, and various other shapes, so as to enable me to attach to the ear D, acting as a hinge with the said link. The ear Dis cast 'or formed, leaving an opening to admit the link E when it is closed by compression,thereby securing the link. The opposite ear 0 serves as a hook to engage the eye of the link for that purpose when the jaws are closed. These ears are riveted to the frame, as shown, or by bending, or so forming the end or lower edge that it may pass underneath the jaw or frame, when a single rivet in each car will suffice.

The object of my invention is to furnish a more convenient device for securing the jaws of a travelingbag together, the-same serving the further purpose of connecting the handle of the bag to the jaws, and in a manner to divide the strain upon the two jaws alike, which has not been accomplished before, except by two handles.

My invention enables me to dispense with the usual ring and strap connection; Thus I am enabled to economize in labor.

I would remark that my device may be attached at the sides of the bag when the bag is of a large size, needing additional security to keep the jaws or frame closed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new- I The ears 0 and D, in combination'with the link E or its described equivalent, applied and used for holding the jaws together With-or without the handle, as and for the purpose set forth. V

ROBERT W. CHAPMAN.

Witnessesr JOHN DANE, Jr.,

JOSEPH M. ORAN-E. 

